NJ A4553

Sexual assault forensic evidence must be preserved for at least 10 years from collection date, or 10 years after a minor victim turns 18, regardless of whether the crime was reported to law enforcement

Custodians must notify alleged victims within 30 days of evidence collection that evidence may be discarded after 10 years, with a second notification required more than 30 days before actual destruction

County prosecutors or the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice must authorize destruction after the 10-year period; prosecutors must offer the Division of Criminal Justice the opportunity to take custody before destroying evidence

Extends the current 5-year Attorney General Guidelines preservation requirement to a 10-year statutory mandate applicable to all custodians including law enforcement, prosecutors' offices, courts, healthcare facilities, and crime labs

Applies retroactively to all sexual assault forensic evidence collected and retained before the bill's effective date